Exploring Hang En Cave in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park: A Hidden Gem for Tourists

Introduction Hang En Cave Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park

Hang En Cave is located in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh, Vietnam. This is the third largest natural cave in the world, after Son Doong Cave (also in Phong Nha – Ke Bang) and a cave in Malaysia.

En Cave possesses a wild and majestic beauty, the cave entrance is relatively small but inside is a large, majestic space with many stalactites and stalagmites with unique shapes. A special feature is that there is an underground river flowing through the cave, creating a beautiful landscape. In addition, sunlight penetrates through the crevices into the cave, creating a shimmering, magical lighting effect. Besides, you can encounter many wild animals such as swallows, bats, insects, adding another layer of attraction to this remarkable natural wonder.

The fascinating formation of Hang En Cave

Hang En Cave is the result of millions of years of complex geological activity. The formation of this cave began with rainwater seeping into the ground, dissolving limestone to form a weak acid solution. This solution slowly erodes the limestone, creating small cracks. Over time, these cracks expand, forming caves.

In particular, the underground river flowing through En Cave has played an important role in creating unique shapes inside the cave. The fast-flowing water carries sand and gravel particles that hit the cave walls, abrading and creating strange shapes such as stalactites and stalagmites. Stalactites are formed from drops of water dripping from the cave ceiling, carrying minerals and depositing them. Stalagmites grow from the cave floor, the result of the deposition of minerals from drops of water dripping from the cave ceiling.

In addition, changes in sea levels also affect the formation of caves. When the sea level rises, water floods into the cave, dissolving and carrying away minerals, creating vast spaces. Conversely, when the sea level falls, minerals are deposited, creating thick layers of sediment. Over millions of years, under the influence of natural factors such as water, wind, and geological activities, Hang En has gradually formed the majestic beauty it has today. Each stalactite and stalagmite in the cave is a work of art created by the hands of nature.

How to get to Hang En Cave

There are many ways to travel from Dong Hoi station or Dong Hoi plane to Hang En cave, depending on your preferences and time.

Motorbike: If you are an explorer and want to be proactive about your time, motorbike is a great choice. The route from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha is quite beautiful, you can stop to admire the scenery and explore interesting places along the way. However, you need to be in good health and fully equipped with protective gear.

Private taxi: If you do not want to drive yourself, a private taxi is a perfect choice. With this means of transport, you will be proactive about the departure and end time of the trip, not constrained by a fixed schedule. The driver will pick you up at your place and take you to Hang En safely and comfortably.

Read more: Dong Hoi to Phong nha by private taxi

Best time and the price to visit Hang En Cave

The best time to explore Hang En:

Dry season (February – August): This is the most ideal time to explore Hang En. The dry, warm weather makes the trekking journey more pleasant. You can comfortably admire the wild beauty of the cave without worrying about storms.

Rainy season (September – January): Although not as ideal as the dry season, the rainy season also brings its own interesting experiences. The cave becomes more magical with drops of water dripping from the ceiling. However, you need to prepare more carefully about clothes and personal belongings.

Entrance fee to Hang En cave:

Visitors cannot independently visit Hang En Cave and must book a tour with Oxalis Adventure. This is the only company currently allowed to conduct tours to explore the caves of Phong Nha – Ke Bang, including Hang En. This is because the exploration process at Hang En is quite dangerous and requires maximum health and safety assurance.

Visitors can rest assured that all staff members, including guides, assistants, and porters, have undergone rigorous training programs to ensure the utmost safety throughout the exploration process.

Furthermore, all climbing equipment is imported directly from Europe and undergoes regular inspections to maintain optimal safety standards.

The tour price typically ranges around 7,600,000 VND.

Activities and experiences at Hang En Cave

Not only is it famous for being a large cave, but the wild beauty of this place has attracted the attention of many domestic and foreign tourists. When coming to Hang En, you will have for yourself fascinating experiences.

Explore the giant cave system:

• Trekking: Visitors will experience a challenging but also extremely interesting trekking journey to explore the large cave system with magical stalactites and stalagmites.

• Admire the beauty of the underground river: The underground river flows through the cave creating beautiful scenes, visitors can admire them by small boat or even swim.
• Overnight camping: An unforgettable experience when sleeping in the heart of the cave, listening to the echoes of flowing water and birdsong.

Explore the lives of millions of swallows:

During the breeding season, visitors will witness an extremely impressive scene when millions of swallows fly in and out of the cave. Swallow nests cling to the cave walls, creating a beautiful natural picture.

Learn about the life of the Bru – Van Kieu people in Doong village

When participating in the exploration of Hang En, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the life of the Bru – Van Kieu ethnic people in Doong village. The lives of the people here are almost isolated from the outside world due to the rugged terrain. With just 15 minutes of resting at Doong village, visitors will have the opportunity to chat with the people to better understand the life here. You will hear stories about the village, mountains and forests as well as their simple life.

Tips for visit to Hang En Cave

Prepare your luggage:

• Choose comfortable, sweat-absorbent, quick-drying clothes.
• Trekking shoes are the best choice, ensuring grip and foot protection.
• Bring a raincoat regardless of the season in case of sudden rain.
• Bring enough drinking water to ensure your body is always hydrated.
• Prepare some snacks to replenish energy during the trekking process.

Important note:

• You need to ensure good health to join the trip.
• Always follow the guide’s instructions to ensure safety.

Nearby attractions in Phong Nha – Ke Bang

Son Doong cave: Son Doong Cave is the largest natural cave in the world by volume. It is nearly 9km long, more than 150m wide, and more than 200m high. Inside Son Doong Cave is a miniature world with a diverse and rich ecosystem. There are primeval forests, underground rivers, crystal clear lakes, and endemic species of flora and fauna. The system of stalactites and stalagmites with diverse shapes and sizes creates a magical scene.

Read more: Explore Son Doong Cave

Phong Nha cave: With its wild beauty and mysterious cave system, Phong Nha has attracted millions of tourists every year. Inside the cave, visitors will admire the strangely shaped stalactites and stalagmites, clear lakes and underground rivers flowing through.

Paradise cave: With a length of more than 31 km, paradise Cave is one of the longest dry caves in Asia. The cave is decorated with millions of stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes, sizes and colors, creating a beautiful natural picture. For the convenience of visitors, the longest wooden bridge in Vietnam has been built in the cave, winding along the stalactites, helping visitors to fully explore the beauty of the cave.

Hang En cave has been and is an attractive destination for tourists because of its wild and majestic beauty. Exploring Hang En, you will be immersed in the vast space, admire the beautiful stalactites. Experiencing this journey is not only an experience of discovery but also an opportunity for them to connect with nature, understand more about the value of the ecosystem and together protect these wonders for future generations.